VITAL safety measures for an accident blackspot in Passfield, which were never carried out could have saved the life of an 18 year old motorist, villagers claimed this week. They say student Robyn-Ellen France, who died in a three -car crash, could still be alive if money provided by a developer three-and-a-half years ago to Hampshire County Council specifically for upgrading the road at Passfield had been spent. It has emerged that £20,000 was given to highway chiefs by Squires Bridge as part of the planning permission to build the new Lyndons estate in Passfield. The cash was earmarked for installing vital safety measures at the accident black spot in the centre of the village, according to parish council chairman Anna James. But more than three years later, villagers are still waiting for details of a scheme to be announced for the B3004 road. County council officials maintained this week however that there was insufficient pedestrians crossing at the junction to justify the changes. Disgusted residents say they have been campaigning for years to have the speed limit through their small village reduced from 50mph to 30mph as well as more street lighting and pavements on both sides of the Headley Road. The news that money, which was paid to Hampshire County Council to help make the road safer, had not been used, has left them shocked and upset. Mrs Dawn Hoskins who was one of the first on the scene of the fatal accident three weeks ago, said: "It is my understanding that one of the safety measures the Hampshire County Council were going to install was a traffic island, but I was told there was some disagreement with the National Trust, and that was why work had not been done. "I think the disagreement was that the council wanted to widen the road, but the National Trust were not willing to allow any encroachment on their land. "The island would have definitely prevented the accident three weeks ago and all the other accidents that happen here regularly. To be honest is a tree worth more than a human life? "This situation is typical, so often we feel redundant second-class citizens here in Passfield. Liphook get everything." Mrs James, chairman of Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council planning committee and member of the south planning committee for East Hampshire District Council said: "All this came up at the planning stage for the Lyndons and it was a condition that the island was put in to allow residents to cross safely. "Also, there is no pull- in bay for the bus there and no pavement either. It is my understanding that in order for the island to be fitted traffic refuges must be cut which means widening the road slightly into National Trust land, but they are unwilling for that to happen." "We have been trying to do something with this road for years and particularly to reduce the speed. Although it is 50mph now, before there was no limit at all." Members discussed the 'Village 30 programme' scheme announced by Hampshire County Council at a meeting of the highways, byways and transport committee at Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council, on Monday evening. The idea is to identify roads in the parish which should have 30 mph limits. Chairman John Tough said: "As a result of reviewing the speed limits we are fairly well fitted up with good speed limits in the village. "However as a result of the tragic crash three weeks ago at Passfield we should request a reduced speed limit as you go through Passfield and all side roads. "The 30 mph limit should begin before entering Passfield from Liphook, and continue on beyond the green. " "Something that is strange is that there are signs on the Hollywater Road which say 40mph as you approach the junction with the Headley Road when it is in fact 50mph. "There is no signage to say you are approaching the junction either and the first you know about the junction is the sign on the opposite side of the T- junction in front of the Post Office." After the meeting Dr Tough said: "We are looking into the situation with the money the residents say was given by the developers to the county council. A spokesman for Hampshire County Council's highways authority said: "There are specific guidelines that we have to follow. "A survey was conducted and found that there was not a huge amount of traffic or footfall, not enough to make changes." HCC Highways was unable to confirm when the payment of £20,000 was paid by the developers to East Hampshire District Council for the safety measures on the Headley Road at Passfield, or why road improvements had not yet been made. The National Trust was unavailable for comment as The Herald went to press. Robyn-Ellen France's funeral will take place today (Friday) at Aldershot Crematorium.